Deadline provides intrigue but few big trades

The trade deadline has come and gone for Major League Baseball and, although there was a flurry of activity right before the deadline, there was a small number of big-name players to switch jerseys. Below are some of the more notable trades that went down before Tuesday.

Trade between: Texas and Atlanta

Atlanta gets:
Mark Teixeira
Ron Mahay

Texas gets:
Jarrod Saltalamacchia
Elvis Andrus
Neftali Feliz
Matt Harrison
Beau Jones

Analysis: This was by far the biggest trade of the deadline simply because it involved the biggest name in Teixeira. It became apparent to the Rangers that they weren’t going to be able to keep Teixeira around for the long term so they shopped him around. Enter the Braves, who touted the most attractive prospect in C/1B Saltalamacchia. Both clubs won in this deal. Texas began its long overdue retooling of the farm system and a potential replacement at first base while Atlanta gained a much-needed left-handed reliever in Mahay and a big stick in Teixeira who will likely hit in between Chipper and Andruw Jones. Now the Braves can compete with the Mets’ lineup in the NL East while the Rangers can look toward the future.

Trade between: Texas and Boston

Boston gets:
Eric Gagne

Texas gets:
Kason Gabbard
David Murphy
Engle Beltre

Analysis: Continuing from the last sentence above, Texas has more reason to look toward the future after getting three more prospects for Gagne, who they only had signed to a one year deal. The Rangers took advantage of the light crop of dominant relievers by shopping Gagne and ultimately landing him in Boston. The Red Sox didn’t give up talent without expecting a payoff, however. They got a former Cy Young winner to bolster their already-stout bullpen. Texas probably got a little more than Gagne was worth in this deal but the Red Sox have to be happy with their acquisition.

Trade between: San Francisco and Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh gets:
Matt Morris

San Francisco gets:
Rajai Davis

Analysis: This trade is notable because of who it involves. Two cellar-dwellers exchange players who seemingly won’t make much of a difference this year but the head-scratcher is that the Pirates took Morris and his $9.5 million contract in 2008 off the Giants’ hands. Morris, a one-time 20-game winner with the Cardinals has fallen off of late with a 4.11 ERA or higher in each of the last four seasons. The Pirates must be hoping his veteran leadership will help the young, but talented staff. The Giants got a bench warmer in Davis but mainly some financial relief.

Other important trades:

Philadelphia gets Kyle Lohse, Cincinnati gets Matt Maloney

Analysis: Philly hopes the addition of the erratic Lohse in their rotation will keep them on the Mets and Braves pace for the playoffs.

Los Angeles gets Scott Proctor, New York Yankees get Wilson Betemit

Analysis: Proctor boosts the Dodgers’ middle relief while Betemit provides a utility bench player for the Yankees. Maybe not the impact move the Dodgers were hoping for but not a downer by any means.

San Diego gets Morgan Ensberg, Houston gets cash/player to be names

Analysis: Ensberg was fourth in MVP balloting in 2005 so he’s had recent success. Could a change of scenery turn around his poor start to 2007 and push the Padres’ pitiful offense along?

Atlanta gets Octavio Dotel, Kansas City gets Kyle Davies

Analysis: Once a can’t-miss pitcher, Davies has struggled in his major league stints with the Braves. He’s got a load of talent that the Royals hope blossoms in Kansas City. Dotel might not the closer he used to be but he can still bring it and makes Atlanta’s bullpen that much stronger.

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